Shaffi and Jahanzeb launch Books for Pakistan to raise money for flood victims

Journalist and author Sarah Shaffi and 2020 Bookseller Rising Star Hamza Jahanzeb have teamed up to organise Books for Pakistan, which will raise money for flood victims. 

Lots include book bundles, signed books, custom artwork and event tickets donated by figures in the publishing industry. Money raised will go towards the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Pakistan Floods Appeal. 

Floods in Pakistan have affected around 33 million people and killed around 1,500, including hundreds of children. A third of the country was under water, and damage is estimated to have cost at least $10bn (£9.4bn). 

Many fear food shortages and disease will take hold and crops will take years to recover. The floods have damaged more than a million homes and swept away villages, livelihoods, crops, schools and roads. People urgently need food, clean drinking water and shelter. 

The auction will be open to bidders from noon on 30th September for two weeks. Among the lots being offered are a bundle of every book published by independent children’s publisher Knights Of, consisting of 28 books; the chance to name a character in the next book in Juno Dawson’s Her Majesty’s Royal Coven books (HarperVoyager); a full set of bestselling cookbook writer Rukmini Iyer’s cookbooks; a custom Loki doodle from Louie Stowell; a write-your-novel workshop for 10 people from Louise Doughty, author of the bestseller Apple Tree Yard (Faber & Faber) and screenwriter of hit BBC series “Crossfire”; signed copies of Ammu and Asma’s Indian Kitchen by Asma Khan (Pavilion); a signed copy of Baroness Sayeeda Warsi’s The Enemy Within (Penguin); Dishoom cookbook (Bloomsbury) and meal kits; and signed copies of David Olusoga’s Black and British (Macmillan) and Black and British: A Short History and Black and British: An Illustrated History (Mamcillan Children’s Books). 

In addition to donating a number of lots, Pan Macmillan is also making a cash donation to the DEC via Books for Pakistan. Jahanzeb said: “I am delighted to be raising money with Sarah for a really important cause that’s close to my heart; to be someone who is affected by the floods in Pakistan is something a lot of in the UK book trade – myself included – cannot begin to imagine. It really is so heartwarming to have such generosity offered across our trade with regards to the auction lots for #BooksForPakistan. I hope that the money raised can help those who are in need.” 

Shaffi added: “The flooding seems far away, but it’s closer than you think; so many people in the UK publishing industry will know someone who is affected, or has a family member who is affected. The book trade has shown its generosity time and again, and I’m so encouraged by the lots that have been donated, and the time people are prepared to commit. I’m looking forward to seeing some fierce bidding, and as much money as possible being raised for the DEC’s Pakistan Floods Appeal.” 

The auction closes at 8pm on 16th October. Lots may be added throughout the auction period.